SILVERTONGUE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 361, 23 May 1928, Page 6

SILVERTONGUE

There had been war between the tribes until there came among them a strange warrior who told them this j wonderful tale: I ‘One day, not ten suns past, I, Silvertongue, was stretched on a mossy bank in the forest, meditating on strife and bloodshed, when there came upon me a great peace, and I felt myself swiftly carried upward. At length I felt the firm ground under my moccasins, and, looking about me, I saw I was on a widespread plain, whereon were green trees and pleasant streams. And all about me were the people of our fathers, of many tribes and legends —Hiawatha and the dusky Minnehaha, Sitting Bull, the teller of tales, Serpent, and my own father, Thundercloud. “I said, ‘Where am I, my father? and he answered: ‘My son, these are the Happy Hunting Grounds.’ “‘But why am I summoned here?’ “ ‘The Great Spirit has chosen you to be the bearer of the peace pipe back to the tribes.’ “ ‘Yes, noble warrior, that is why you were brought here,’ said a voice. •My son, you cannot see me. My voice is the voice of the running water, of the wind, and of crying birds. My message to the tribes is this: They will never enter the Happy Hunting Ground, where the leaves are always budding, the flowers always in bloom and the fruit and grain ever ripening, if they come with bloodstained tomahawks and scalps at their girdles. Take therefore of this stone and carve , therefrom a peace pipe for your .brothers to smoke. Go now and good hunting to you, Silvertongue.’ “And I was back in the forest with stone in my hand, and from it I haV O carved this pipe. Now, noble chive’s and warriors, bury the tomahawk and hunt and trap and fish, livin g peacefully, but take no scalps or yon will not enter the Happy Hunting Grounds of your fathers.” And tVie people of the tribes listened and bel'te‘ ved ’ and the land was at PG —Dew Hawn (Helen Williams). IMPROBABLE conversations Orchardist (vV> hoy caught stealing his apples): “D'on’t be afraid. I love to see boys themselves. Take as many as you like.” Grocer (to bov who has thrown a ball through his sho.\> window): “Here’s your ball, sonny, anti allow me to congratulate you on splendid drive.” Employer: “You’re looking rather fagged, Henry. Take the afternoon off and see the cricket match.” ■ ra. .. = .